Earlier this week I was really starting to look forward to spring garden planting. Today, I am back to shivering inside my winter coat. Spring weather, Arkansans are ready for you to be here to stay. We are headed to Colorado for spring break so I guess I will not get too excited about warm weather quite yet.
The spring season has been remarkably busy. I often feel like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” I really have not been late or missed anything recently, but let’s just say, our family is always “cutting it close.” It is no comparison to the uncertainty we all felt last year at this time and I am thankful for that.
Our children are entering the last quarter of the school year. This year has had its challenges, but it has gone better than we anticipated. Our oldest daughter is preparing with the freshman dance team for school tryouts after spring break. She and I have been on the road a few weekends for competitive dance.
We have had an opportunity to watch our younger daughter participate in some junior high track meets. She is also preparing for cheerleading tryouts this season. Our daughters must get their talents from my husband because I cannot dance or tumble. I can cheer loudly but I am a perpetual klutz.
We enjoyed watching our youngest son play his first basketball season with the third grade “Bucketheads” from his school. They did not have a winning season, but they were hilarious to watch. Now, we are onto baseball season – my favorite.
Our oldest son has been practicing over in Tulsa in his micro sprint race car. He is also amped up for the season. My husband and his posse are also excited about the coming season.
In between this flurry of activities, my husband has managed to work our cattle, sell a crop of calves, and get set for spring calving. I love all these new babies. They are close by in fields near our house. On spring days, they are an absolute delight to watch. There is something precious about baby calves chasing each other around in a green pasture. I have had a few moments to spare and ride my own horse and enjoy a few sunny days.
Somewhere amidst all the sports and dancing, I WILL find time to plant flowers and a small garden. I only have last year’s mess halfway cleaned out of my raised beds. I really think this year will be the year of simplification. I can see rhubarb popping up already. I hope the grubs did not get all my asparagus starts from last year. Maybe we will grow a few new things, or maybe not.
The daffodils are blooming on the farm and the tulips are not far behind. Spring flowers are signs of warmer weather, new beginnings and hope. I hope this year we have a productive hay crop with fewer equipment breakdowns. I hope my children finish the school year with good grades and good friends. I hope we make it to see all these games, meets, races and dances this spring. I hope each of you has a Happy Easter and happy spring, dear, neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
